Circumcision and Baptism (Col. 2:11,12)

One can see the force of the argument that circumcision is a fleshly covenant which is tied to the flesh while Baptism is a sign that communicates spiritual renewal and spiritual washing.  It is conceivable to think that maybe Paul is making a historic progression meaning that we move from circumcision, fleshly covenant, to baptism, a true spiritual realization, after Christ’s coming. So, why would people baptize infants if the Lord has changed the significance of the covenantal sign?

Herod the Horrible (Matthew 2:13-22)

Herod, the king of the jews, is someone who should see that Christ’s entrance into history validates the jewish kingship.    However, Herod does not react in joy, but he acts in a horrific way to the news of Christ.  Herod demonstrates the horror of human depravity. How can the Lord triumph over this tyrannical man?  Is this man able to usurp the Lord’s power? 

Worship Elements: Sacraments Uncircumcision (Leviticus 26:41)

So often people think of the sacrament of circumcision as a physical sign while baptism is a sign of Spiritual renewal.  So, these signs might point to Christ, but they have radically different intentions.  When we survey scripture we find that this is not necessarily a true distinction with circumcision being physical while baptism is spiritual.  In fact, Moses teaches that one being uncircumcised is stating that one is not walking in power of the Lord.  So, can we really say that circumcision is not a spiritual sign? 

The King of kings (Matthew 2:1-12)

Strange star gazers from the east come to worship Christ.  These are men that we would expect to be hostile to the mission of Christ, and do everything possible to destroy Christ.  We would expect that Herod who is the king of the jews embrace the Messiah for the Messiah is God with us.  How can strangers expected to be opposed to the Messiah’s mission show the power of the Messiah’s mission? 

Worship Elements: Sacraments General (Romans 4:11)

The Apostle Paul speaks Abraham first having faith and then receiving he sign. This would seem that the sacraments are a sign of our faith rather than a sign of the covenant.  This has profound implications because this would mean that first we would profess our faith and then receive the sacrament.  So, why would we as reformed people baptize infants if this contradicts the Apostle Paul? Why would infants potentially receive the sign if they have not first professed faith like Abraham did? 

Our Jesus Emmanuel (Matthew 1:18-25)

Joseph is to be the father of Jesus.  He is to find his significance in Christ’s advent.  How does Joseph finding his significance in a baby demonstrate the beauty of this kingdom?  How does Joseph finding his significance in Christ demonstrate our call to humility? 

The Genesis of Jesus (Matthew 1:1-17)

This is a strange title because we believe that Jesus Christ was not created, but is from all eternity.  So, are we unorthodox in this statement about the Genesis of Jesus?  Is Matthew unorthodox when he talks about this genealogy being the beginning of Christ?  Or does Matthew intend something different?

Worship Elements: Preaching: Word or Gospel? (2 Timothy 4:1-5)

We have been considering at the language of the Belgic Confession that identifies the preaching of the Gospel as a mark of the true church.  If the reformers claim that a mark of the church the the preaching of the gospel then why does Paul exhort Timothy to preach the word?  Does our confession need to be rewritten?  Does Paul understand the preaching of the word to be the preaching of the Gospel?

Worship Elements: Preaching: Evangelistic (Romans 1:16-17)

Our confession does not merely say that we preach the word, but we preach the Gospel.  Why not have a mature church that no longer needs the Gospel because they have advanced beyond it.  Then we could have churches that are more geared to young Christians.    What basis do we have to preach the gospel for all members of Christ’s church? 

Glorious Praise (Jude 1:24-26)

Jude is not the first letter that we read for our personal or corporate encouragement as it is a letter that is a challenge to understand.  It is also a letter that deals a lot with judgment. Jude desires to write to the church about the common faith once for all delivered, but instead writes about the pressing matter concerning the false teachers.  So, how can this letter go beyond its immediate context?  What encouragement can we glean from this letter?  Why press forward in this life?

Worship Elements: Preaching: An Assuring Promise (Genesis 28)

Jacob leaves home sent away as a covenantal fugitive to fend for himself at his uncle’s house.  He is left alone in the deserve literally stripped of everything that he valued.  Is all lost?  What can Jacob’s vision in the midst of his existential crises teach us about preaching and the gospel message?

Concluding Exhortations (Jude 1:17-23)

Jude writes a letter with some very strong warnings cautioning people about challenging God. Jude has appealed to angels, battles before history, judgments in history and before history, and he has appealed to many events to make his case. The point of these events is to communicate that God always wins. This is an intriguing book, but how are we to live for the Lord in light of these exhortations? Are we to be terrified of our God?

Worship Elements: Preaching: Redundant Gospel? (1 Cor. 1:18)

We might think that we know the Gospel and we know the Gospel well.  So, why would we think that we need to continually hear the Gospel preached if we know the Gospel message?  Is there a point in our Christians lives when we move beyond the Gospel message?  What wisdom can be gleaned from church history that would shed some light on this issue of Gospel preaching? 

God's Judgment is Real (Jude 1:14-16)

Jude appeals to Enoch, the seventh from Adam, to establish his point.  Who is Enoch and why would Jude appeal to him to publish a warning about God’s judgment? 

Worship Elements: Singing (Colossians 3:16,17)

We sing songs in our worship.  We sing songs in praise to the Lord.  However, why do we sing to the Lord?  What can we sing to the Lord to offer up praises to Him?  Why is signing so important for our worship service? 

History’s Reminder (2) (Jude 1:8-13)

Jude continues to speak about the Lord judging the angels and he speaks about the Lord judging people in the past.  What does this have to do with our current circumstances in history?  How do these examples bear any relevance for us today?

History’s Reminder (Jude 1:5-7)

Jude warns the people of God that the Lord is serious about judgment.  This is not a very happy topic, and so why does Jude mention this?  Is Jesus really one who would judge his own people?  Did Jesus judge people in the Old Testament?

Worship Elements: Assurance and Blessing (Luke 24:50)

The disciples should understand that Christ predicts his suffering, dying, and being raised up to life.  When Christ talked about this part of his ministry Christ really means that he is sent to suffer, die, and to be raised up to life.  The disciples and the women who were around Jesus missed this central truth.  How does Christ react after his resurrection?  How does Christ’s reaction put our worship into perspective and show our parting from worship to be so consoling?

Worship Elements: Assurance (Micah 7:18-20)

If we already know the gospel then why do we need to hear about our sins being forgiven?  Why would we want to talk about the forgiveness of our sins week after week?

Eagerly Receiving Jude (Jude 1:1-4)

Jude is the brother of James and the brother of our Lord.  This is a brief letter, but Jude is eager to write the letter.  What is Jude so eager to write about?  Why does Jude talk about judgement, and what hope can we glean from a conversation regarding judgment?